Trick your guests with this indulgent chocolate dessert log that looks just like salami. You'll need dark chocolate, crushed biscotti, mixed nuts and a few basic pantry items.
Your first instinct will be to cut a slice of this "salami" and sandwich it between two crackers with a hunk of provolone cheese. But our rich dark-chocolate log studded with walnuts and pistachios is much better suited as a spread for cookies with your after-dinner coffee or tea. Pulling off this level of dessert trickery may seem tough, but the recipe requires just 10 minutes of prep work — and it feeds up to 12 guests. It's basically a host's dream.
By Rupa Bhattacharya and Amanda Neal for Food Network Kitchen
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons coffee
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 cups biscotti cookies, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
Step 1
Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and melt in the microwave until completely melted and smooth, about 3 minutes.
Step 2
In another medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with an electric hand mixer until smooth, about 3 minutes. Beat in the melted chocolate, coffee and cocoa powder until thoroughly combined, scraping the bowl as need.
Step 3
Add the walnuts ...
... then the pistachios ...
... and finally, the biscotti cookies.
Step 4
Stir thoroughly to combine.
Step 5
Pour the chocolate mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap ...
... and shape into a log about 2 inches in diameter and 12 inches long.
Step 6
Roll until the log is completely covered in plastic and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Step 7
When ready to serve, remove the chocolate salami from the plastic wrap and dust with confectioners’ sugar.
Step 8
Wrap with butcher's twine for an authentic salami look.
